Youths of today are becoming increasingly narrowminded in their quest for a sense of identity, said social commentator and writer Hishamuddin Rais.

"Instead of looking at themselves as human being, they identify themselves based on others who is deemed to have a similar characteristic, such as skin colour.

"They are no longer rational, they called themselves as Malays, Chinese and Indians," said Hishamuddin during his lecture on the role of younger generation in ethnic relations.

He was speaking at the 'Alternative Ethnic Relations Course' to a crowd of 80 students on Thursday at the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall in Kuala Lumpur, Hishamuddin said this trend was embedded in Malaysia socio-political sphere by the British colonial masters.

"This concept was being adopted and further strengthened by the Malaysian government during the development of political institution such as Umno, MCA and MIC," said the renowned humanist.

Economic struggles

Apart from historical and political reasons, the nature of a capitalist society is another contributing factor to creating divisions along racial lines.

"Capitalist system was in the basis of profit margin therefore, people (younger generation) will fight for their interest and thus, there is no choice but to create divisions," said Hishamuddin.

His lecture was the second in the series of weekly lectures organised by student group Youth for Change, in response to a controversial ethnic relations textbook introduced at Universiti Putra Malaysia, which was later withdrawn.

The series will culminate in a lecture entitled "Future of Malaysia and Ethnic Relations" by former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Sept 7.